Liquid dispensing device



Aug. 25, 1936. w. A. BOWMAN 2,051,981

LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 15, 1935 43 MI 10 El f I 6 1 Hi1 I 9 I r'"8 l l I I I l I I I I l l I I I I i L: LL:

l'iigz. 17 19 '1 Patented Aug. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT QOFFlCE LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE William A. Bowman, Pittsburgh, Pa. Applicationlilay 15, 1935, Serial No. 21,509

4 Claims. (01. 225-18) My invention relates to liquid dispensing devices and is hereinafter described as utilized in the dispensing of beverages.

In the packing and distribution of bottled beverages for domestic consumption, a great deal of expense is incurred, by reason of the original cost of the bottles, the high shipping charges because of the great weight of the bottles and containers relative to the liquid contents, loss and breakage of the bottles, and the expense of collecting the bottles and cases,

The use of kegs and other bulky containers is objectionable especially when intended for home consumption, because after tapping of the containenthat portionof the beverage not im-- mediately consumed soon becomes flat.

My invention has for its object the provision of a dispensing device which can readily be applied to containers that may have a capacity of several gallons, and which will insure proper eilervescence in the beverage even though quantities are withdrawn therefrom throughout a period of some days duration.

Another object of my invention is to provide 5 a dispensing device of a structure which can be readily inserted into a liquid container, and which is provided not only with means for supplying carbonic acid to the receptacle, but also with co-related means for controlling discharge 30 of the liquid contents from the receptacle.

Some of the forms which my invention may take are shown in the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a side View of a receptacle or container, with my dispensing device applied 35 thereto; Fig.2 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the structure of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof, and Fig. 4 is a view showing one of the fastening devices by which the dispensing device is connected to the 40 receptacle.

' As shown in the accompanying drawing, the

container or receptacle 5 for the beverage is of sheet metal, such as tin plate, which can be cheaply made and therefore discarded after con- 45 tents thereof have been used. The can 5 may suitably be of rectangular form so that it can be readily placed in a domestic refrigerator, without occupying a great deal of space. For example, a can of two gallons capacity will occupy 50 no more space in a refrigerator than would several pint bottles of beer.

The can has an upstanding annular flange 6 that may be termed a bung opening. After the can is filled, a bung-like element 1 of cup form is 55 inserted into the can and its upper edge soldered or welded to the upper edge of the flange 6. A pipe 8 of sheet metal extends through the bottom of the member 'I and is suitably welded or soldered to the bottom of the member I at 9. The upper end of .the pipe is originally closed, and at 5 least a portion of its lower edge is in spaced relation to the bottom of the can as shown more clearly in Fig. 1.

The member I could, of course, be secured to the can when the can is originally made, and 10 filling and sealing of the can could be effected at some other point. At any rate, with the can closed and sealed, it is then ready for shipment and the total weight thereof relative to the weight of a similar quantity of bottled liquid 15 is small.

When the can reaches the consumer, it is necessary only that he apply the dispensing device as hereinafter described, for the purpose of withdrawing the contents from the can, as desired. 20

The dispensing device includes a base III that carries cork H or other suitable packing material such as rubber. The packing material Ii, when the dispensing base 10 is pushed into the cup 1, will form a tight seal between said cup and the base it, and also have sealing engagement with the upper portion of the pipe 8, thereby preventing escape of liquid and gas. A valve body l2 has screw-threaded engagement with the base l0 and has a pointed extension l3 at its lower end which will pierce the upper end of the pipe 8 when the base I0 is pushed into its seat 7, thus establishing communication between the interior of the can and the valve chamber. A valve I4 controls flow in an upward direction from the pipe 8 and is normally held on its seat by a spring l5 which abuts against a cap it that is screwed on the upper part of the valve body.

The cap it carries a pair of arms I! between which an operating lever or handle i8 is piv- 40 otally mounted. The valve I4 is pivotally connected to the lever ill by a valve stem I9, so that when the outer end of the lever is depressed. the valve M will be raised from its seat, to permit discharge through a spout 2i A conduit 22 is supported in the base i0, and has a pointed extension 23 that will pierce the bottom of the cup 'I when the dispensing assembly is inserted into said cup, so that liquid or gas may flow downwardly through the pipe 22 into the can, as hereinafter explained. A fitting 24 has screw-threaded engagement with the base In and is provided with a passageway which is controlled by a valve 25 that is normally held to its seat by a spring 26. Upon depression of the outer end of the handle l8 to raise the valve I4, such downward movement can 'be continued until the valve 25 is also raised from its seat, such movement being effected by means of a lost-motion link connection 21 between the operating lever and the stem of the valve 25.

A chamber 28 is provided on the fitting 24 for the reception of a metal shell 29 which serves as a capsule for containing carbonic acid (C02) preferably in liquid form. The chamber 28 is provided with a screw-threaded closure 3| which is turned to force the capsule 29 downwardly into engagement with prongs 32 that are formed on the bottom wall of the casing 28. The capsule is thereby pierced and the carbonic acid content therein released to flow past the valve 25 and into the can 5, so that suflicient carbonic acid gas will be formed in the can 5 to efiect ejection of the liquid past the valve l4, and to impart an effervescent quality thereto.

It will not be necessary to at all times operate the handle I8 to such an extent as to admit carbonic acid to the can, in which case, it will be moved a distance sufflcient only to efiect opening of the valve l4.

A relief valve 34 is mounted in a valve chamber 35 that is carried by the base III. A valve seat 36 has screw-threaded engagement with the valve chamber so that it can be adjusted vertically to vary the compression of a spring 31 that normally holds the valve 34 to its seat. Communication between the conduit 22 and the valve chamber 35 is through a pair of ports 38. When the pressure within the can 5 exceeds a predetermined degree, such pressure will be exerted against a piston 39 that is carried by the valve 34, to open the valve against the pressure of the spring 31 and permit exhaust of gas past the valve 34.

The dispensing device is shown as detachably but rigidly held in its seat by means of hooks 4I42. A desired number of these hooks may be provided, although in some cases, the snug fit between the cork II and the cup 1 may render the use of hooks unnecessary. The hook 42 is shown as connected to an over-the-center handle 43 of any suitable type, the handle being pivoted to an extension of the base I0.

I claim as my invention:-

1. A dispensing device comprising a base, a pair of conduits extending through said base and each provided with a can-puncturing element at its inner end, a packing element surrounding said conduits and adapted to effect sealing engagement with a can, one of the conduits serving to admit flow of fluid to the can and the other conduit serving as a discharge passageway, and a valve for controlling flow through the last-named conduit.

2. A dispensing device comprising a base, a pair of conduits extending through said base and each provided with a can-puncturing element at its inner end, a packing element surrounding said conduits and adapted to eflect sealing engagement with a can, one of the conduits serving to admit flow of fluid to the can, and the other conduit serving as a discharge passageway, and a valve for controlling flow through the last-named conduit, the said base and packing element being of generally cylindrical contour, to fit into a cylindrical recess in a can wall.

3. A dispensing device comprising a base, a pair of conduits extending through said base and each provided with a can-puncturing element at its inner end, a packing element surrounding said conduits and adapted to efiect sealing engagement with a can, one of the conduits serving to admit flow of fluid to the can,

and the other conduit serving as a discharge passageway, and a valve for controlling flow through the last-named conduit, the said base and packing element being of generally cylindrical contour, to fit into a cylindrical recess in a can wall, and the puncturing element of the discharge conduit being positioned to pierce the end of a pipe that extends from the said recess to a point adjacent to the opposite wall of the can.

4. A dispensing device comprising a base, a pair of conduits extending through said base and each provided with a can-puncturing element at its inner end, a packing element surrounding said conduits and adapted to efliect sealing engagement with a can, one of the conduits serving to admit flow of fluid to the can and the other conduit serving as a discharge passageway, a valve for controlling flow through the last-named conduit, and hook elements carried by the base, in position to be moved into hooked engagement with a beaded surface on a can into which the puncturing elements are inserted.

W. A. BOWMAN. 

